The Cavs’ return to Madison Square Garden on Monday is a chance to shake off the ghosts of the 2023 first-round playoff series, where the Knicks dispatched them in a convincing five games.
Monday marks the Cavs’ first real challenge after a 3-0 start against lower-tier competition. But the Knicks have already been trialed by fire, squaring off against two formidable Eastern Conference foes in the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers.
The matchup against the Knicks is just the opening act for the Cavs, who have a daunting week ahead with games against the Lakers, Magic, and Bucks.
“Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, that’s where we really see what we’re made of as a group and if our habits continue through with tougher opponents and tougher games,” Donovan Mitchell said after the Cavs took care of business against the Wizards on Saturday.
Here’s what to know about the matchup:
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks
Series: First of four matchups in the regular season.
Where: Madison Square Garden.
When: 7:30 p.m. ET.
The point spread: Knicks minus-3.5; O/U 222.5
TV: FanDuel Sports Network – Ohio
Injury report
Cavs:
OUT:
Max Strus (ankle); Emoni Bates (knee/two-way); JT Thor (two-way); Luke Travers (two-way).
Knicks:
PROBABLE:
Miles McBride (knee)
QUESTIONABLE:
Josh Hart (ankle)
OUT:
Precious Achiuwa (hamstring); Kevin McCullar Jr. (two-way); Mitchell Robinson (ankle)
